Welcome to the Two Down Press golf newsletter!

We’re looking ahead to next week in today’s newsletter with a preview of what to expect at the upcoming Truist Championship. We tapped an insider to give us a sneak peak at what is going on at Quail Hollow ahead of Charlotte’s annual spring tour stop.

We also have updates on a new golf development near Charlotte (no, not Candyroot) and our typical news and notes. Final reminder that Charlotte City Amateur registration opens on Monday! Don’t miss out because you were slow on the draw…

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE

David Gies II is a Charlotte resident and a full-time caddie on the PGA TOUR. A long-time staff member and caddie at Quail Hollow Club, Gies II has made more loops around Charlotte’s premier tournament venue than most people alive. The son of a golf professional, Gies II is a stereotypical “great player in his own right,” having reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 U.S. Mid-Amateur and competed in several other high-profile amateur tournaments.

We caught up with him ahead of the upcoming Truist Championship - which he'll be watching from afar as he caddies in the Myrtle Beach Classic - to get his read on the course, the conditions, and what's changed now that Truist has taken over the event.

2DP: Give me a little background on your history at Quail Hollow.

DGII: I worked as an assistant there for 10 years and was the caddie master. The late Scott Davenport was always kind to me - he let me come out and practice when I was home, so even after I left, I kept coming back, hitting balls and hanging out with members I'd known over the years. I've caddied at Quail Hollow through a few Wells Fargo Championships and last year's PGA Championship - I mean, I've been around that golf course 1,500 times.

2DP: How did you get into caddying full time on the PGA TOUR?

DGII: I was actually trying to play a little bit, and then the year before COVID I did Latin America Q-School. COVID canceled everything, so I started caddying for Johnson Wagner. I worked about 2 years with him, then 2 years with Harrison Endycott, then 2 years with Bud Cauley.

I got let go after AT&T, so I caddied for Beau Hossler for a week, Justin Lower for a week, and now I'm full time with Sam Ryder. He texted me just before New Orleans asking if I could caddie - it was kind of a 1-week trial, and he hired me at the end of the week.

2DP: I started following you on Instagram recently and have noticed you’ve been playing some golf out at Quail. What's the state of golf course heading into the event next week?

DGII: It's absolutely perfect, as always. There's been no changes this year as far as the course goes, but we haven't had much rain in Charlotte, so it was getting pretty baked out and firm. The rain the last couple days helped a little bit, but the rough is up more than normal - they’ve been watering a little more, just trying to get some growth.

Hopefully it's firm and fast for the tournament, because this place, in my opinion, plays a lot better when it's fast. Last year at the PGA we got 2.5 inches of rain on Monday, and when this place is soft, it's just so long. It's such a big property. I feel like soft conditions here eliminate all but about 10 guys. When it's firm, at least everybody in the field can compete.

2DP: What's it like caddying at a course you know well? Does it change how you approach the week?

DGII: I approach it the same way, but I at least let my player know that, if they need any information, especially on the greens, I think I know them as well as anybody. It's a little different too, though, because you see so many people you know and everybody wants to say hello. It can be distracting, but it's nice to be at home and sleeping in your own bed.

2DP: This is the first true Truist Championship back at Quail Hollow - last year's event was in Philadelphia while the PGA Championship was in town. What looks different on site compared to the Wells Fargo years?

DGII: The build out is definitely smaller - significantly smaller. There are only 2 or 3 public grandstands this year. They're trying to make it more intimate, where people are standing on the ropes versus sitting in stands. From my understanding, they wanted it to feel Augusta-esque - yes, you have grandstands, but for the most part people are up close and not sitting up in bleachers. The grandstands are all wrapped in purple now where it used to all be green. When you see the buildout around 18, you'll be shocked at how few grandstands there are compared to Wells Fargo years.

2DP: Does the Signature Event format - limited, high-profile field - change the feel of the week at all?

DGII: It's just such a different vibe. The driving range is always quieter, there's only 78 players so it's never busy, and practice rounds are more spread out. It just feels so quiet compared to a normal event. I'll be interested to see how many fans show up - Charlotte turns out, so we'll see.

PRESENTED BY TWILIGHT GOLF CLUB

TGC is a CGA member club that supports equitable access to golf in North Carolina. With an active chapter in Charlotte, it’s a great way to meet other passionate golfers in town and play some competitive golf in a casual setting. Annual dues are $60 per year giving members access to:

Want to get involved? Visit the website for more details.

LOCAL BEAT

Details have begun to emerge about another new golf development project near Charlotte, this time north of the city in Kannapolis. High Side Golf Club recently launched a new website sharing detailed plans for multiple short courses designed by Kris Spence, a putting course, and an expansive practice ground.

The project is being led by the father/son duo of Scott and Phil Hamel. Scott, a former accountant, left his role in the corporate world to go all-in on his vision for High Side. HSGC will have memberships available, but will also provide public options for daily fee access.

This development appears to have real momentum, with the land purchase complete and construction set to begin later this year. The team is looking to round out their investor group, so if you’re interested in getting involved in that capacity, more information is available on the website.

Macro take: Candyroot Lodge and HSCG now have the city surrounded by new golf projects! Amazing to see, as the supply of golf in and around Charlotte was feeling pretty fixed a few years back. We’ll be staying close to this one and bringing you more details as the situation develops.

STORIES TO TRACK

Kaur, Kovelesky Advance Through Women’s U.S. Open Qualifying at Rolling Hills: Gurleen Kaur and Chloe Kovelesky secured spots in the field at Riviera County Club on Tuesday, surviving a 36-hole day at Rolling Hills Country Club down in Monroe. Kaur is currently playing her third full season on the LPGA Tour, while Kovelesky is the middle of her sophomore season at Wake Forest.

Charlotte Country Club Superintendent Szkilnski Set to Retire: John Szkilnski is retiring after nearly 20 years looking after one of our city’s best courses. His successor will be Nick Roth, who has held leadership positions at Oakland Hills Country Club and The Tree Farm. The course is currently undergoing a major renovation with Andrew Green (set to open later this year) and recently unveiled it’s new short game facility.

Carolinas Four-Ball Starts Today at Camden Country Club: 88 teams are set for 36-holes of stroke play action. The top 32 finishers will qualify for the match play portion, which begins on Saturday. Lots of great teams in the field, including defending champions Patrick Stephenson and Stephen Lavenets. Follow live scoring.

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